The next day, millions of Golden City residents welcod the return of the fleets with imnse relief. The Golden City alliance forces had successfully eradicated the pirates, and the victory brought a renewed sense of hope and stability to the city. The fleet's return was t with a grand celebration, with citizens lining the streets, cheering, and waving banners emblazoned with the emblem of the alliance.
Xavier Karat stood at the forefront of the procession, his presence commanding respect and admiration from the crowd. As the thousands of alliance mbers marched down the busy streets, they were hailed as heroes of the city. The air was filled with the sounds of jubilant music and the scent of flowers thrown by the ecstatic onlookers.
Along the lines of the procession were cages filled with dozens of captives, each one a pirate who had terrorized the sector. Among them was the notorious pirate king himself, the tiger hybrid Gaira D. Reis. His imposing figure was now reduced to a captive, and his once fierce eyes were filled with a mix of defiance and defeat. The sight of Gaira in chains drew gasps and murmurs from the crowd, a tangible symbol of the alliance's triumph.
As the procession reached the Capitol building, the grand architecture stood as a backdrop to the montous occasion. Hassa Karat, along with the city councils and other faction leaders, stood on the steps to welco the victorious forces. They offered their congratulations and thanks. Their speeches were t with thunderous applause and cheers from the citizens gathered.
It was a morable day for the whole city, one that would be written in Golden City's history. The sense of unity and triumph was palpable, and for the first ti since the Bloody Incursion incident 15 years ago, the citizens finally felt a deep sense of security and pride in their city. On the other side of the city, a different kind of welcoming party was prepared. The atmosphere here was somber and urgent as dozens of dical experts rushed to help the wounded. anwhile, dozens of other staff were tasked with a grimr duty: taking care of the corpses that could be salvaged from the battle. The fallen were carefully laid out, their bodies covered with cloths bearing the alliance's insignia.
The battle had taken its toll. Seven warships were destroyed and did not return, their remains now floating in the void. Another twelve were heavily damaged, their once-sleek hulls now scarred and battered. Among the 5000 brave souls who had ventured into the battle, one-third had fallen. The loss included 152 magus and 7 grand magus figures, whose absence would be keenly felt.
The Terra forces also suffered significant losses during the battle. The Gilgash warship was heavily damaged to the point where it had to be towed back ho. The ship's breached hull was a testant to the ferocity of the fight. Tragically, six magus and fifty-two saint warriors perished, most of them during the breach. Despite these heavy casualties, the survivors returned with their heads held high and their spirits unbroken. They knew their sacrifice was not in vain; their efforts had secured a crucial victory for Golden City, reinforcing their resolve and dedication to their cause.
What followed was a grand celebration hosted by the Karat factions. Tens of thousands of people filled the expansive grounds of the Karat estates, their hearts brimming with gratitude and joy as they gathered to honor all the heroes—both those who had survived and those who had fallen. The estates, lavishly decorated with shimring lights and vibrant banners, seed to pulse with the energy of the crowd.
Long tables were laden with an abundance of food and drink, offering delicacies from across the alliance's territories. Music filled the air, a harmonious blend of traditional tunes and upbeat lodies that kept the atmosphere lively. The joyous laughter and animated conversations created a vibrant tapestry of sound that echoed throughout the estate.
During the festivities, the Terra factions were recognized for their significant contributions to the victory. They were praised as one of the top three factions whose efforts had been pivotal in the pirates battle. The crowd's cheers grew even louder when Thrax's na was called out. As he stepped forward, the people erupted into applause and chants.
"For Thrax, the gladiator commander!!"
"Hooray!!! Hooray!!"
Thrax, with his imposing presence, acknowledged the adulation with a wave. His reputation as a formidable warrior and commander had clearly left a lasting impression on everyone.
Amidst the celebration, Ery noticed the absence of the Qin and the Croft factions. Curious and slightly concerned, he decided to inquire Lord Hassa about the situation.
"Lord Hassa, what will happen next with the Croft and the captured pirates?"
With a drink still in hand, Karat's patriarch took a sip before saying "Ahh yes… With how extraordinary you are, I almost forgot that you ca from a lower realm," he said, his tone both teasing and admiring. Seeing Ery's confusion, Tessa decided to provide further clarification. "Most cris are normally dealt with by the local authorities—in our case, the Golden City Council. However, when multiple high-grade factions are involved, especially with one of the senior council mbers being on trial, a special envoy will be sent from the Magus Alliance HQ"
Lord Hassa, although appearing slightly unsettled by the ntion of the division, continued to explain. "The Law Enforcent Division is the reason the dozens of disputing Magus alliance factions don't go to war with each other. It can be said that the division is what keeps the Magus alliance from tearing apart from the inside."
The crowd around them continued to celebrate, but Ery's focus was now entirely on the conversation at hand. He could see the gravity of the situation reflected in Lord Hassa's eyes. "But I must warn you," Hassa added, his tone growing more serious, "their justice is not blind. In fact, it is often subjective and aid at maintaining the overall good of the alliance." ####
The next few days saw Golden City returning to its usual bustling state. The streets were once again alive with activity, rchants hawking their wares, and citizens going about their daily routines. The city had a renewed energy, fueled by the recent victory and the ongoing preparations for the upcoming council elections.
The dozens of council candidates continued their campaigns with vigor. So organized public events to discuss the recent pirate battle, using it as a platform to showcase their leadership and vision for the city's future. Notably, many candidates who had previously criticized the Karat factions were now praising their contributions, aligning themselves with the ten factions that had supported the campaign against the pirates.
The Zodiac faction, with its high level of support, created a new wave of solidarity among the half-bloods within Golden City. Their efforts helped bridge gaps and foster a sense of unity among the diverse population. Magus Rosia of Terra City saw a significant boost in popularity, erging as a key figure representing the half-bloods and other minorities in the city. Her na was frequently ntioned in conversations, and her speeches and actions resonated with many who felt underrepresented.
Ery, ard with his newly granted permits, was busy establishing his new apothecary shops. Leveraging his strengthened relationships with the Apothecary Institutes and the backing of the Karat factions, he sought out pri locations for his businesses. His rising popularity also attracted nurous new opportunities and partnership offers, further bolstering his ventures.
During the following days, both the Croft and Qin factions remained silent, an unusual stillness that contrasted sharply with the city's bustling activity. Even the Nephilim Astiel family, who had sent their entourage, made no moves towards Ery. The next day, the reason for their reticence beca clear.
The Law Enforcent Division had finally arrived in Golden City. A special ship bearing the emblem of a sword and scales descended gracefully into the city. Ery watched in awe as the ship touched down, its presence radiating authority and power. Barty Grouch, the high-ranking minister, was there to welco the entourage with great respect, his deanor reflecting the significance of their arrival.
To Ery's surprise, the leader of the entourage was none other than a supre magus, one of the three supre judges of the Magus Alliance. Judge Candiance, a middle-aged woman with a rune tattooed on her forehead, led the group. Her re presence exuded an overwhelming aura that made those around her feel an almost instinctive urge to kneel in reverence.
The much-awaited trial comnced, attracting significant attention from all parts of the city. Though the trial was closed to the public, the air outside the courtroom buzzed with anticipation and speculation. Key figures from the Karat, Hauten, and Qin factions were summoned, along with representatives from several other involved groups. The presence of the Astiel Nephilim lent additional weight to the proceedings. Ery, too, was among those summoned to participate in the trial.
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